Uniform as standard, moustaches mandatory: Peter the Great’s army reforms

Reformed by Peter the Great in the early 1700s, Russia’s army had emerged by the century’s end as one of the strongest in the world. And while overhauling the organization and logistics of his forces, the tsar also demanded uniform appearance - haircuts included!

At the turn of the 18th century, a series of victories won by Peter the Great decisively shifted the
balance of military power away from Sweden in favor of Russia, Europe’s new
rising power. Yet the Russian army of the erawas ill-equipped and poorly
outfitted – which made it a key focus of the program of radical reforms
implemented by the tsar with the aim of reorienting Russia toward the West.

Peter set about clothing his army on
the basis of an existing model: Two of his personal infantry regiments, the
Preobrazhensky and Semyonov regiments, were originally formed to implement the
tsar’s war games. However, over time they became full-fledged military units
with comprehensive weaponry and uniforms.

The Semyonov regiment officer. Source: "Historical description of the clothing and weapons of Russian troops" by A. Viskovatov

The first wore green caftan-style
greatcoats and felt hat, red tunics and knee-length pants, white stockings and crude
shoes that were switched for long boots as needed.

The Semyonov regiment wore different
colors, from the felt hat down through the light blue tunic. But by 1720,
standard dark green kitwas issued to both, with only red or blue collars and
cuffs denoting the regiment.

The tsar adopted a similar design to
other army uniforms in Europe, reflecting his policies of Westernization. But a
main obstacle to achieving genuine uniformity of appearance was Russia’s limited
capacity to produce enough identical sets.

Such inconsistencies hampered efforts
to modernize throughout Peter’s reign. Due to the shortages, many soldiers
still wore arbitrary colors, and even entire regiments continued to wear gray woolen
uniforms produced by cottage industries.

At the time, Peter’s hastily dressed
and armed troops were locked in conflict with Sweden, one of the strongest military
powers in Europe. Although the era is best remembered for the landmark
victories won over the Swedes, in some cases the defeats also proved
significant for Peter’s military reforms.

In 1700, the Swedish king routed the Russian
army at Narva, on today’s Russian-Estonian frontier. Only the Preobrazhensky
and Semyonov regiments proved resilient, repulsing all Swedish attacks but at a
high cost in casualties.

In recognition of the guards’ valor,
Peter awarded them some distinctive uniform elements. The two regiments were
exclusively entitled to wear red rather than white stockings, symbolizing their
valiant stand at Narva, “knee-deep in blood.”

Private grenadier of the Preobrazhensky regiment in 1700-1720. Source: "Historical description of the clothing and weapons of Russian troops" by A. Viskovatov

Officers also received striking crescent-shaped
breast badges inscribed with ‘1700’ and made of silver or gold plating,
depending on their rank.

Each Russian army regiment had a
grenadier company composed of the burliest soldiers. Initially their task was
to throw grenades, but over time the grenadiers took the same function as the
rest of their regiment, while preserving unique features of dress.

The most distinctive element was a
dome-shaped cap with no rim or peak so as not to impede the throwing of
grenades. Its front alsobore a metal plate stamped with the imperial eagle.

But the desired level of uniformity went
beyond clothing and equipment: Peter also ordered compulsory moustaches and that
soldiers’ hair becut above the shoulders.

The chief insignia of officers was a sturdy
woven sashtrimmed with gold and silver threads, which ran over the shoulder and
attached to the belt. In 1799, during the Battle of Devil's Bridge in the
mountains of Switzerland, several of these sashes were even used to lash
together a log bridge.

The green uniform introduced by Peter
was retained for more than a century, while the imperial cavalry and artillery
units always wore blue and red uniforms, respectively. The greatcoat was also gradually
modified until the mid-19th century, by when its lines had become similar to the
modern dress coat, with tails instead of a long hem.

The waistcoat was shortened, and the
cocked hat was gradually transformed into a bicorn design. A special uniform
was also introduced for generals, who had previously worn the standard officer’s
outfit with added insignia. Over time their clothing became more elaborate,
with added gold or silver trimming on the collars and cuffs.

After Catherine II (the Great)
assumed the throne in 1762, Russian military dress was further reformed to the
specifications of Prince Grigory Potemkin, renowned as a court favorite of the
Empress and her lover.

Officers of the Potemkin army. Source: "Historical description of the clothing and weapons of Russian troops" by A. Viskovatov

Soldiers were issued with a shorter,
more comfortable tunic, broad linen trousers and a top cloak made of thick
cloth. After centuries of evolution, the Russian warrior finally achieved
uniformity in appearance, with one extra seal of approval: The Potemkin design
was highly popular with the troops due to its ease of wear.